Passenger chair for airplanes



April 1936- J. H. KINDELBERGER'ET AL PASSENGER CHAIR FOR AIRPLANES FiledOct. 18, 1933 4 Sheets-Sheet l Br v do! A TTORJVEV.

April 7, 1936. J.YH. KINDELBERGER ET AL 2,036,529

PASSENGER CHAIR FOR AIRPLANES Filed OCL. 18, 1933 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 ATTORNEY.

A ril 7, 1936. J. H. KINDELBERGER ET AL 2,036,529

' PASSENGER CHAIR FOR AIRPLANES Filed Oct. 18, 1933 4 Sheets-Sheet 3 I h[/vvtI/vTo/as: 95 04 I/Z z/amec. H. K [ride/be rye; /o 5 /O6 Arf/zur5/541 mend,

dd 'wi z April 1936. J. H. KINDELBERGER ET AL 2,036,529

PASSENGER CHAIR FOR AIRPLANES Filed Oct. 18, 1933 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 f/vv/vroes (/amea HK/nde/ber yer;

Arf/zur 5.8a mend 5y we mum? m w M/ 6 O g n w w w w P Q w ?atented Apr.7, 1936 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE 2,036,529 PASSENGER CHAIR roaAIRPLANES Application October 18, 1933, Serial No. 694,084.

4 Claims.

Our invention relates to an improved chair construction especiallysuitable for use in airplanes.

Owing to the length of continuous flights by airplane consideration ofthe personal comfort of the passengers becomes important. It isaccordingly an object of our present invention to provide a chair havinga plurality of adjustments and having means whereby the cooperatingparts thereof may be easily and quickly adjusted without the exercise ofany great force to accomplish the same. In this seat structure the seatmember is supported in such a manner that the weight of the personsitting therein produces substantially no resistance to adjustingmovement of the sea A further object of the invention is to provide achair of the character described having a simple means for adjusting theback thereof entirely independently of the adjustment of the seat, theimproved results obtained by the invention being contributed to by thesimple back and seat adjusting mechanisms which we have provided. 4

A further object of the invention is to provide a chair of the abovegeneral character having a back which is reversible relative to the seatso that the passenger may ride either forwardly or rearwardly. Inconjunction with the reversible back we have provided a simplereversible connecter for connecting an end of the back member to an endof the seat member.

Further objects and advantages of our invention are concerned with theprovision of an improved form of securing. means for the passengeroccupying'the seat which may be readily secured in operative position,adjusted and released. Straps for'holding passengers in chairs areemployed with attachment hooksor buckles at the ends thereof, thelengthof the strap or belt being adjustable to suit the passenger, "andgenerally requiring adjustment for each passenger. In our I presentsecuring means the strap does not require length adjustment but theeffective length thereof is controlled by the position in which its freeend portion is connected to the seat structure by means of a simple formof clamp. The chair is provided with cushion supporting means for se-'curing it to a carrying structure, such as the walls of an airplanefuselage. These cushion supporting means have resilient load carryingelements adapted to absorb small shocks, with positive stop means forlimiting the deflection of the resilient elements, one value of the stopmeans being to resist any tendency for the chair to set up aperiodic-vibrating or swaying motion. Operative between the seat memberand. the supporting structure therefor we provide stop meansinterengaging in a manner to restrain side sway of the seat memberrelative to its support. 5

In the invention the back member is provided with a simple means forlimiting the downward movement of the back member, such means consistingof a dog-leg connecting an end of the adjustable linkage with thesupporting structure of 10 the chair in such a manner that the lower endof the linkage is held in an offset position and that a stop forlimiting the downward movement of the back member is provided.

Additional advantages and further objects of 5 our invention will bebrought out in the following part of the specification. I

Referring to the drawings, which are for illustrative purposes .only,

Fig. l is a partly sectioned side elevation of a 20 preferred embodimentof the invention.

Fig. 2 is a sectional view taken on the plane represented by the line2-2 of Fig. 1.

Fig. 3 is an enlarged fragmentary section of the mechanism within thedotted circle 3 of .Fig. 2.

Fig. 4 is a fragmentary section taken as indicated by the line 44 ofFig. 2 for showing details of the adjusting means for the seat member.

Fig. 5 is an enlarged fragmentary section showing details of theconstruction of the latch means forming a part of the adjusting meansfor the back member.

Fig. 6 is a view taken as indicated by the line 6-6 of Fig. 1.

Fig. l'is an enlarged section on a plane represented bythe line 1-1 ofFig. 2 for showing de tails of construction and the manner of operationof the releasable connection for the back member 40 and the seat member.

Fig. 8 is an enlarged fragmentary section taken. as indicated by theline 8-8 of Fig. 1 showing the simple strap securing means of thepassenger anchoring device.

Fig. 9 is a fragmentary view cooperating with Fig. 8 to show the mannerin which the opposite end of the strap is secured to the opposite sideof the seat member.

Fig. 10 is an enlarged fragmentary section on the plane represented bythe line Ill-40 of Fig. 1.

Fig. 11 is an enlarged fragmentary section on the plane represented bythe line I I-l I of Fig. 1.

Fig. 12 is an enlarged fragmentary section taken as indicated by theline l2l2 of Fig. 6.

As shown in Figs. 1 and 2, the main elements of the invention are a seatstructure l5 consisting of a seat member l6 and its supporting means l1,and a back structure |8 comprising a back member 20 and its adjustablesecuring means 2|. The seat member I6 is comprised of a seat designatedby the numeral l6a, from which there extends upwardly from each sidethereof suspension means |6b. In Fig. 2 we have shown a floor line 22and a side wall member 23 representing the floor and side of a vehiclecabin, such as the fuselage of an airplane. The seat member 6 includesabottom plate 24 having a pair of tubular members 25 and 26 respectivelysecured to the forward and rearward ends thereof, these tubular members,as shown in Fig. 12, consisting of a sheet 21' of thin metal bent totubular form and so that the edge portions 28 of the sheet 21 extendingoutwardly in parallel relation, provide flanges in position to overliethe edge 38 of the bottom plate 24 and to be secured thereto by means ofrivets 3|. By using tubes, of this characterit is possible to combine alight weight tubular wall structure with a flange means for securing thetube to a flat wall member such as the plate 24, thereby maintainingample strength and rigidity in conjunction with light weight.

Secured in the ends of the tubes 25 and 26 are tubular elbows 32, theouter end portions 33 of which are directed vertically upwardly so as tofit into the lower ends of vertical tubes 34 and 35 disposed at the endsof side plates 36 which are disposed vertically along the edges of thebottom plate 24. The vertical tubes 34 and 35 may be of the sameformation as the tube 25, a cross section of which is shown in Fig. 12,or, alternatively, the tubes 34 and 35 may be rolled up from the endportions of the side plates 36. The upper edges of the side plates 36are reinforced by angle members 31, each of which has a web 38 in avertical plane and a web 39 in a horizontal plane, the web 3.9 servingas an arm rest and having a tube 4| rolled up along the outer edgethereof. The supporting structure|1 comprises a pairof side members42and 43 adapted to lie along the outer faces of the sidewalls or sideplates 36 of the seat member l6, the'side members of the supportingstructure being respectively shown as a leg structure 42 which is ofsuch vertical dimension that it will rest upon the floor 22, and abracket member 43 which may be secured to the side wall 23, as shown inFig. 2. i

The leg structure 42 is fabricated from tubular members 44 and 45 of thesame type as the tube 25 shown in Fig. 12. In cooperating pairs asshown, the lower ends 46 and 41 of the tubular members are secured tofittings 48. The tubular members 44 converge upwardly to engage pinmembers 56 which project downwardly from a hinge fitting 5 I, and thetubular members 45 converge upwardly to join with a bearing plate 52disposed vertically below the hinge fitting 5|. An approximatelyA-shaped plate 53 of thin metal is placed in the area enclosed by thefour tubular members 45 and. the edges of this plate 53 are secured tothe flanges 28 which extend relatively inwardly from the tubular members44 and 45. The hinge member 5| has a laterally disposed horizontal bore54 therein which cooperates with a bore 55 formed in the upper part ofthe bracket 43 .to provide pivot means for the seat member, which pivotmeans also includes pin members 56 secured tothe outer faces and nearthe upper edges of the side walls or plates 36, cotter pins 51 beingprovided in the ends of the pin members 56 to hold them in the bores 54and 55.

The bracket 43 comprises a vertical leg 58 having a bearing structure 60near the lower end thereof for receiving an end pin 6| of a shaft member62 which extends horizontally and laterally under the seat member l6,and near the bottom plate 24 thereof, the central portion of the shaftmember 62 consisting of a tube 63, the leftward end of which carries themember 6|, as shown in Fig. 2, and the rightward end of which receives atubular extension 64 adapted to project through a bearing bore 68 in thebearing plate 52. Below the bearing means 66 thereof the bracket 43includes a bifurcated extension 10 adapted to engage a cushion block 1|which is secured to the side wall 23. The upper part of the bracket 43has a lateral extension 16 which engages another cushion block 1| whichis also secured to the wall 23. The members 6| and 64 have gears 12formed thereon which rest in close proximity to the ends of the tube 63and in such position are adapted to engage gear segments or curved legs13 mounted on the sides of the seat member l6 below and concentric withthe pivot means represented by the pin members 56; consequently,rotation of the gears 12 will move the leg members 13 and swing the seatmember |6 relative to the horizontal lateral axis defined by the pinmembers 56.

For driving the-gears 12 we provide a lever 14, the inner end 15 ofwhich extends across a collar 16 moimted, as shown in Fig. 3, on theouter end of the member 68 and being hinged at 11 so as to swingoutwardly a limited distance as indicated by dotted lines 18. I mallyheld leftward and inward by means of a tension spring 88, the inner endof which is connected to a. bar or rivet 8| extending diametricallyacross the inner end of the member 68 and the outer end of whichconnects at 82 to the lever 14. Adjacent the collar 16, opposite thehinge means 11, the lever 14 is provided with a pin 83 adapted toselective engagement with holes 84 formed in the bearing plate 52concentric with the bore thereof. The seat member 6 is supported insuspension. The side plates 36 together with the pin members 56 formsuspension means for the bottom plate 24 of the seat member l6. A'sviewed in Fig. 1, the pivot means represented by the member 56 aredisposed toward the rightward or rearward end of the seat member 5 andat a material distance above the bottom plate 24 thereof. In thisposition the pivot means is above the approximate center of gravity of aperson occupying the chair, the result being that the weight of theperson occupying the chair does not resist a relatively free swinging ofthe seat member l6 by rotation of the gears 12 which is acomplished bymoving the lever 14 outwardly into its dotted line position 18, Fig. 3,and then rotating the same. As clearly illustrated in Fig. 4, the angleor tilt, as into the position indicated by dotted lines 86, of the seatmember |6 on an arc concentric with the pin members 56 may be readilyaccomplished.

At this point it may be noted that we have, bythe specific manner ofsuspension and operation shown, provided a means for seat adjustmentwhich may be operated with such ease as to encourage the use thereof, bymaking it possible for the passenger to obtain greatest comfortthroughout the entire journey.

In conjunction with the seat structure |5 we provide a back structure l6adjustable independently of the seat member 6. This back structure I 8includes a back member 20 including a web 81 of vertically elongatedshape out- The lever 14 is "noraoeaeao frame members 88, 98 and 9I areof a tubular construction similar to the tube 25 shown in cross-sectionin Fig. 12 and have relatively inwardly projecting flanges 92 which aresecured to the edge portions of the web 81 by use of rivets 93. Theadjacent ends .of the frame mem-' bers 88, 98, and 9I are connected bytubular elbow-type fittings-94, each of which has a projecting lug orrelatively outer wallmember 95 with a lateral opening 96 therein. Theprojecting lugs 95 are so formed on the fittings 94 that when they areinstalled as shown in Figs. 2 and 6 they project in cooperating pairsfrom the upper and lower ends of the back member 28 which in certainclaims is referred to as a primary member.

The lugs or bodies 95 on the lower and upper ends of the back member 28form part of a connecting means 91 for securing the lower end of theback member 28 to the rearward end of the seat member or secondarymember I6, as shown in full lines in Fig. 1, and for securing the upperend of the back member 28 to the forward edge of the seat member I6 whenthe back member 28 is in reversed position, as shown by broken lines 98in Fig. 1. To complete the connecting means 97 we employ projectingmembers or relatively inner wall members I88 forming walls or bodiesadapted to extend into the space between the lugs 95, as shown in Fig.6. The enlarged sectional view, Fig. 7, shows the manner in whichengagers I8I are carried by the projecting members I88 in a manner toengage the openings 96 in the projections 95 of the back member,together with means which may be quickly and easily operated to retractthe engagers IN. The bodies I88 are provided with openings or bores I82aligned with the openings 96, and the engagers I8I are made incylindrical form to slide in the bores I82 and have rounded outer endsfor guiding them readily into engagement with the openings 96. Thefacing or relative inner ends of the bodies -I 88 are constricted byinwardly projecting flange portions I83so as to produce small openingsI84 at the relative inner ends of the bores I82. Each engager IN isprovided with a bore I85 to receive a compressionspring I86 which bearsagainst the flange portion I83, this spring I86 urging the engager I8Ioutwardly. To limit outward movement of the engagers I8I relative to thebores I82, we provide a flexible member or operating member I8'I, theendsof which are connected to the engagers I8I, as for instance bysecuring such ends in axial openings I 88 formed in'the outer ends ofthe engagers I8 I. Near the extremities of the flexible member I8'i,which is preferably a cord or cable, stop members H8 are securedin suchposition that they will engage the flange portions I83 when the engagersI8I are in extended position, as shown in full lines in Fig. 7. Todetach the connecting means 91 theintermediate portion III of theflexible member ml is manually engaged and moved or pulled in lateraldirection toward the position indicated by broken lines II2. This actionpulls the end portions of the flexible member I8? through the openingsI84 and likewise pulls the engagers I8I into the bores I82, therebydisengaging the members I8I from the openings 96 of the projections 95.It will be noted that theends of the projections 95 are chamiered at H3and that they may be channeled, as shown by dotted lines lit in Fig. 1.for the purpose of guiding the engagers I8I readily into engagement withthe openings 96. 1

In order that the connecting means 91 may be of pivotal character theopenings 96 and the engagers "II are axially aligned. The back member 28may swing around the pivotal connecting means 91 through variouspositions of inclination relative to the seat member I6, as indicated bybroken lines II 6 in Fig. 4, and to accomplish and expedite thisadjustment of 'the back member 28 the adjustable securing means 2I areprovided. The adjustable securing means 2I constitutes an extensiblelinkage between the back member and a part. of the seat structure I5,the means 2| being preferably connected to the supporting means II ofthe seat structurel5. Adjustable link means 2I comprises preferably aU-shaped member II'I having a central portion II 8 which extendslaterally across the back member 28 and tubula arms or struts I28disposed perpendicular t and on the ends of the central portion II 8.The U-shaped member II'I may be readily bent from a length of metaltubing. Slidable within the tubular end portions or struts I28 arecooperating strut members i2i which may be also tubular and the outerends I22 of which are connected to dog-leg brackets I23 which projectleftwardly or forwardly, as shown in Fig. 1, and are plvotally connectedat I24 to hinge means I25 formed on the hinge fitt ngs 5|. The seemingor link means 2i, by being extended or shortened, control the slope orposition of the back member 28.

To urge the siidably disposed strut members I28 and I2I tension coilsprings I26 are disposed within the members I28 and I2 I, the lower endof each spring I26, as shown in Fig. 1, being secured to a rivet I21employed for securing a bracket I23 to the lower end of a tube I2 I, andthe upper ends of which spring I26 are secured to pins I28 extendingacross the tubular strut members I28 above the upper ends of the membersI2I. For securing the adjustable link means 2I in various positions ofextension, we provide a simple latch means I38 which may be readilyoperated by a person seated in the chair. This latch means, as bestshown in Fig. 5, employs a pin I3 I carried by the lower portion I32 ofan inverted pan-shaped lever member I33 which is intermediately pivotedon a pin I34 carried in a lug I35 projecting from a fitting I36, oneeach of which is secured to-the lower end of a tubular strut member G28.A

openings I38 and I48 respectively in the iiting- I36 and the strut I28into engagement with a selected one of a plurality of openings Ifii inthe strut member I2 I, such engagement being shown in Fig. 1. Forpivotally connecting the link means 2I to the back member 28 cooperatinghinge parts I42 and I43 are respectively mounted on the frame members 88and the end portions of the central part II8 of the U-shaped memberII'I, these members I42 and I43 being connected by hinge pins I44permitting a suificient rotation of the back member 28 relative to theextensible link means 2i to realize a desired opera ion of thesecooperating parts. In Fig. I the back member 28 is shown in uprightposition. Should it be desired to lower the back member. the upperportions of the lever members I33 are manually depressed to withdraw thepins I3I into positions such as indicated in Fig. 5. A rightward orrearward force upon the back member wiil then cause the tubular strutsI20 to move outwardly on the cooperating strut members iZI as the backmember 20 is moved into the desired new position.

I When such new position is reached, the lever members I33 are releasedso that the pins I3I may enter cooperating openings MI in thecooperating strut members I2I. An outward movement of the back member 20is limited by the stop means provided by the dog-leg brackets I23 whichengage the supporting means I1 of the seat structure I5, as shown bybroken iines I45 in Fig. 1, the result being that a fully loweredposition for the back member 20, such as indicated by broken lines I45,is established. The seat member 96 and the back member 20 beingseparately and independently adjustable contribute to the general effectof providing maximum comfort for the passenger. As indicated in brokenlines 86 in Fig. 4 the seat member 56 may be readily adjusted through avariety of positions relative to horizontal and, as shown in Figs. 1 and4, the back member 20 may be adjusted independently of the adjustmentofthe seat member I6, through a variety of positions between upright andfully lowered. A further important feature of our chair is that the backmember 20 is reversed relative to the seat member I6 to enable thepassenger to ride backward should he desire. This reversal of the backmember is accomplished as follows:

The connecting means 91 between the lower end of the back member and therearward or rightward end of the seat member I6, as shown in Fig. 1, isreleased in the manner previously described. The back member 20 is thenrotated in anti-clockwise direction on the hinge pins I44 and theextensible link means I2i is swung leftwardly or in anti-clockwisedirection toward the position indicated by broken lines I41. clockwiserotation of the back member 20 will accordingly bring the upper end I48of the back member 20 into conjunction with the forward edge of the seati I6 whereupon the lugs 95 of the proper extension of the link means '2Ia position of the back member 26, such as indicated in broken lines 98,may obtained. It will be recognized that during the reversed position ofthe back member 20 the seat member I6 and such reversed back member 20may be readily independently adjusted. An important element of ourinvention employed in conjunction with the hereinbefore disclosed mannerof supporting the seat member I6 in suspension from pivot means disposedabove the bottom plate 24 thereof, consists in the means for limitingside-sway of the seat member between the leg structure 42 and thebracket member 43. This rneansconsists of a projection or lug I5iiextending from the leg structure 42 to ward the lower portion of. theseat member, and a lug or projection I5I extending from the bracket 43.These members I50 and I5i are preierably so placed as to very nearlybear against the side faces of the rack members 13, thereby limitingsideward motion of the lower portion of the seat member I6.

The fittings 58 at the lower end of the leg structur'e 42 form partsof.cushion supporting members I52 which function to produce a limitedresilient supporting of the leg structure 42 whereby to absorb highfrequency vibration but to limit An antithe movement of the cooperatingparts thereof when the cushion element of the supporting member I 52 issubjected to excessive strain. The cushion supporting means 1| forsecuring the bracket 53 to the sidewall 23 are of the same constructionas the cushion'means I52 shown in Fig. 1, and accordingly thedescription relating to the supporting means I52 also applies to thesupporting means I I. The fitting 48 comprises a horizontal plate I 53from the edges of which walls Q54 downwardly extend, as shown in Fig.10. The horizontal wall I 53 is also provided with projecting pins I55and I56-angularly disposed so as to enter the lower ends'of the members44 and 45. The walls I54 are of rounded configuration, as shown in Fig.1, and are of reduced length as compared to the horizontal wall I53 sothat they will project into spaces I51 formed between ears or walls I58which project upwardly near the ends and from the sides of a bottomplate I60 having openings therein through which securing screws !59 maybe passed, the parts I58 and I66 forming a receiver or channel i6l for arubber or resilient body I62 of rectangular prismoidal form having sideplates I63 along'the side faces l64 thereof. The ends of the plates I63,as shown in Fig. 11, are provided with holes I64 for receiving bolts I65which pass through the ears I58 and also through the rubber body I62.The intermediate portions of the plates I63 are provided with enlargedopenings I66 through which bolts I51 pass in concentric relation. Thebolts i61 pass through the central portion of the rubber body I62 andthrough openings 158 formed in the walls I54, the bolts I61 beingclosely fitted in the openings I68. The resilient bodies I62 rest uponthe bottom walls I60 of the receivers I6I and the upper faces I10 of thebodies I62 are in engagement with the horizontal walls I53 of thefittings 48 so that the weight and forces received from the chairstructure are transmitted directly to therubber bodies I62. Accordingly,the resilent members I52 form resilient supporting means for the chairstructure which will deflect and will absorb vibrations under ordinaryloads. The movement of the fittings 48 relative to the receivers I6I islimited by the side bars I 63 and the pins I61 which pass through theover-sized openings I66 therein. Should an excessive force be applied,for instance in a downward direction, the rubber bodies I 62 willdeflect or compress downwardiy under such force until the bolts I61occupy the positions indicated by dotted lines I12.

To avoid the present difliculty of adiusting and securing strapsforholding the passenger in a chair, we provide the improved securingmeans shown in Figs. 1, 8, and 9. The side plate 36 of the seat memberI6, presented to view in Fig. 1 and shown in Fig. .8, has an opening I13therein which is of rectangular form and disposed atan position ofengagement with a fiat strap member I82, as shown in full lines. On theouter face of the side plate 36 a guard and guide plate IE3 is securedin the position of the opening I13 and slopes downwardly and outwardlyso that when the end of the flexible securing member or strap I82 ispassed into the opening in the general diopposite side of the seatmember I6 and is looped around a flat bar I8'I secured by bolts I88 tothe outer face of this last named plate 36.

The passenger securing means disclosed in Figs. 8 and 9 avoids all ofthe previous difficulties found in the operation of the commonly usedadjustable straps for holding passengers in their seats in an .airplane.The strap I82, instead of being itself adjustable in length and having ahook or snap on the end thereof, ,consists .of a single piece offlexible flat material, such as leather, which may be secured across thelap of the passenger with a proper degree of tightness merely through aselection of the point of engagement of the cam I18 with the free endportion of the strap I82. Accordingly, the strap member remains ofconstant over-all length but the effective length thereof between thesides 01' the seat is readily varied to meet the individual needs of thepassenger. I

Although we have herein shown and described our invention in simple andpractical form, it is recognized that certain parts or elements thereofare representative of other parts, elements, or mechanisms which may beused in substantially the same manner to accomplish substantially thesame results; therefore, it is to be understood that the invention isnot to be limited to the details disclosed herein but is to be accordedthe full scope of the following claims.

We claim as our invention:

1. An attachment device of the character described for connecting aprimary member to a secondary member, including: relatively outer wallmembers projecting from said primary member having facing openings;relatively inner wall members projecting from said secondary member intothe space between said relatively outer members; engagers mounted onsaid relatively inner wall members so as to project into said openingsin said relatively outer wall members; means for yieldably urging saidengagers into positions of engagement with said openings; and a flexiblemember having the end portions thereof connected to said engagers andadapted through a transverse pull on said flexible member to retractsaid engagers into positions of non-engagement with said openings. I

2. An attachment device of'the character described for connecting aprimary member to a secondary member, including: relatively outer wallmembers projecting from said primary member having facing openings;relatively inner wallmembers projecting from said secondary memher intothe space between said relatively outer members; engagers mounted onsaid relatively inner wall members so as to project into said openingsin said relatively outer wall members; means for yieldably urging saidengagers into positions of engagement with said openings; and

an operating member normally stretched substantially tight and havingthe end portions thereof connected to said engagers and adapted througha transverse pull on said guide member to retract said engagers intopositions of nonengagement with said openings.

3. A chair of the character described, including: a seat structurecomprising a seat and supporting means therefor; link means having theinner end thereof pivotally secured to said seat structure; a backmember secured to the outer end of said link means and being adapted toswing on said link means from a position of cooperation with therearward end of said seat to a position of cooperation with the forwardend of said seat; and detachable means for pivotally securing said backmember selectively to said forward and rearward ends of said seat, saiddetachable means comprising a pair of relative outer bodies and a pairof relative inner bodies adapted to project into the space between saidrelative outer bodies, one pair of said bodies being in projectingposition on the forward and rearward ends of said seat and the other ofsaid bodies being in projecting position on said back member, therebeing inwardly facing openings in said relative outer bodies andengagers slidably mounted on said relative inner bodies to enter saidopenings, means for urging said engagers outwardly toward positions ofengagement with said openings, and a flexible retracting memberextending between said engagers and having the end portions thereofsecured to said engagers so that a lateral pull on said flexible memberwill move said engagers from said openings.

4. A chair of the character described, including: a supporting structurehaving a pair of pivot -members in laterally spaced relation; 2. seatmember having a bottom and upstanding suspension means aligned with thesides thereof, the upper parts of said suspension means being pivotallysecured to said pivot members of said supporting structure; a pair ofcurved rack members secured in downwardly projecting relation to theopposite sides of said seat member; a shaft extending laterally acrosssaid supporting structure under said seat member, said shaft having atubular end portion; a pair of gears secured to said shaft in positionsto engage said rack members; a lever member hinged on the end of saidshaft in radially extending position, there being handle means on theouter end of said lever member; stationary engagement means around saidshaft in position to be traversed by said lever member; and an engagercarried by said lever member in a position between the end of said shaftand said handle means adapted to engage said stationary engagementmeans, there being a spring, having its inner end connected to saidshaft at a point within said tubular end portion and having its outerend connected to said lever member, for urging said lever member towardsaid stationary engagement means.

JAMES H. KINDELBERGER. ARTHUR E. RAYMOND.

